“The very existence of the Zionist regime is an insult to all humanity and an affront to all world nations,” said Ahmadinejad as he addressed an audience at Tehran University after a day of pro-Palestinian rallies.

Ahmadinejad’s comments come at a time when Tehran continues to defy international efforts to stop its nuclear weapons program.

“Ahmadinejad’s outrageous comments continue to stoke the fires of hatred in his country,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs. “This international pariah continues to use any means he can to divert attention from his country’s efforts to create nuclear weapons.”

It strains incredulity for Ahmadinejad to say: “Today, confronting the existence of the fabricated Zionist regime is in fact protecting the rights and dignity of all human beings,” From his support of Syrian President Bashir al-Assad, to his violent crackdown on those who oppose his regime, to executions of juvenile offenders, Ahmadinejad clearly has no concern for human rights.

“There seems to be no end to the anti-Israel incitement in which Ahmadinejad engages,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. “It’s time for the international community to focus and respond on the nonstop hatred emanating from Tehran.”

B’nai B’rith welcomed U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s expression of dismay over Ahmadinejad’s comments, but has urged Ban not to attend next week’s meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at which Iran will assume the group’s chairmanship.